Alfred Moses

We’ve got some really good strategies out there such as the Economic Opportunities Strategy, which was mentioned earlier, the Oil and Gas Strategy being developed, Mineral Strategy. We have strategies in place. These reports give us information on what has been happening. Now we have to put it into action.

All the recommendations are in there, I’ve read it. Why don’t we put those into action rather than continuing to talk about it? We know these statistics are low. We know the economy is slow.

Will the Minister take this report and give this Assembly and residents of the Northwest Territories...

I know he’s going to all the regional centres. What is he doing for all the small communities where you’ve heard, more and more in this House, that’s where we’re having the highest unemployment rates? They are in the small communities.

How is he getting input or engaging people in the small communities to get them on board for this program but also get them trained and educated so they can get the employment they need, support their families and also the economy? What is he doing to engage the small communities outside of these regional centres that he mentioned earlier? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just another comment about the feasibility of maybe looking at a deep water port for the Beaufort Sea in terms of the vessels going through the Northwest Passage on a more recurring basis and it might be an opportunity for various things in terms of getting our resources out to market and bringing supplies in for the coastal communities, those kinds of things. So I’d like to know if that’s something that the department is looking into. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m glad to hear that that’s a possibility. I want to make sure that there’s an assurance to that.

When this strategy is being developed and with the Inuvik-Tuk highway being developed, as well, can the Minister ensure residents of the Beaufort-Delta that infrastructure will be on the agenda to get the oil and gas back to the communities of Inuvik and possibly Tuktoyaktuk when we’re developing the strategy? Thank you.

In terms of just starting the process of consultation, I’d like to ask the Minister, has he had any consultation with Aurora College and learning centres? Specifically in Inuvik, they have that mobile trades unit that can go into the communities and train our individuals on these particular appropriate trades and skills for the oil and gas sector when that economy picks back up.

Has he had those consultations with Aurora College to start developing those kinds of trades programs so that we’ll have people trained and educated and ready to take the jobs when the economy picks back up?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We all know the importance of how sport can positively affect and influence a child’s life. In most cases success in sport at a young age can also lead to success in life.

About the same time last year, I stood in this House to recognize the accomplishments of a group of younger superstars, the East Three Eagles Elementary Basketball Team, claiming their first ever banner for the new school and new gymnasium in Inuvik. Today I’d like to stand in this House and once again recognize this group of young, fine gentlemen on defending their championship last weekend here in...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a few comments. First of all I just want to make some comments on the ferry operations in Inuvik this past winter. The first year was definitely a learning experience. The way it was developed and operated this year was excellent. I know all the guys working on it and some people making comments said it was really well done this year. Moving forward, it’s going to be a very efficient practice getting that up and running.

I also want to just make a comment about the Aviation Career Development Program. I am pretty sure that scholarship is fully utilized every year and...

I appreciate the efforts that are going into this Oil and Gas Strategy and looking at trying to get our resources out to market. However, we do have two communities in the Northwest Territories that are actually surrounded by oil and gas and having issues with their gas situation, and that’s Norman Wells and Inuvik.

I wonder if, in this strategy, whether or not the Minister would look at… We’re building all this infrastructure and roads with the Canada Building Fund, once that gets approved, to get our resources out to market. I’m thinking about a different type of infrastructure in terms of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment made a statement in the House the other day about the Oil and Gas Strategy, and in his statement he mentions that he’s got a job on the expertise and knowledge of regional territorial stakeholders, Aboriginal governments and industry to develop a strategy that truly reflects northern values and priorities.

Can I ask the Minister just to get an update on where he is with that? Has he held these regional meetings, specifically up in the Beaufort-Delta, to look at developing this strategy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I’m kind of intrigued in how the Department of Justice and Department of ECE both contributed to the Day Shelter here in Yellowknife. I believe there’s only one other Day Shelter in the Northwest Territories and that’s in Inuvik, and whether or not the department would work with the other departments in looking at accessing those funds, as well, because the cost of doing business further up north is a lot higher. So, I’m intrigued and wouldn’t mind getting more information on that, and I’ll ask the Ministers when it does become time to review this. Thank you, Mr. Chair. More of a comment.